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Garlic Uses and Benefits

GARLIC: Uses and Benefits

I call garlic the ‘healing herb’ and would describe it as a member of the onion family, its siblings being shallots, spring onions, chives and leek. Its scientific name is Allium Sativum. It is very low in fat and calories and is referred to as a herb that boosts all aspects of the human health. Garlic has a lot of nutritional, beauty and health benefits. Three cloves of garlic is said to be the equivalent of a dose of penicillin. Although garlic is mostly used in seasoning food it also has some domestic and medical uses.

What is the nutrition in garlic?

Garlic is the perfect source of almost all the vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the body’s excellent health. It is low in calories and in fat. Garlic contains Manganese, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Potassium, Zinc, Iron, Calcium and Magnesium. Selenium in garlic – is an autoxidizing agent for the body. It is also a mineral for healthy heart.

Garlic Crusher

A sulphur compound called Allicin is formed when garlic is chewed, and also when crushed or chopped in a garlic crusher. This produces the unique garlic smell that has a lot of health benefits. For this garlic press click here.

Raw Garlic Health benefits

Heals colds – by adding ½ to 1 clove to your daily diet

Boosts immunity – when chewed, chopped or crushed, garlic produces a compound called Allicin. This compound boosts the fighting ability of the white blood cells

Prevents illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and dementia – a high dose of garlic such as 4 a day is required.

Regulates blood sugar

Regulates blood pressure – take 4 cloves of garlic a day.

Boosts sexuality – Garlic works like a gentle and natural Viagra. It improves blood flow all over the body.

The Uses of Garlic

Garlic is packed in a number of ways such as powder, puree, capsules and is bottled for ease of use in various ways such as cooking, drinking, as supplements, as medication, in beauty treatment, as an insecticide and other domestic uses.

Eat and drink to be healthy

Cooking – In cooking, garlic is best crushed using a crusher or chopped. Garlic is a great spice to use in cooking soups and stews. It brings out an excellent flavour when used in cooking meat, poultry and fish. Garlic is used in making dips, garlic bread, cooking pasta,

Drinks – (a) A perfect garlic drink would be a mixture of Lemon, garlic, honey and Apple cider vinegar in water. (b) Garlic tea is available in tea bags or loose tea. (c) A slice of garlic can be added to any smoothie or juice drink.

Garlic Purée

Garlic Powder

Garlic Tea bags

Medical benefits of Garlic

Supplements – Garlic supplements is a way to increase garlic intake they come in different forms such as powdered, oil or extract . The Allicin contents in supplements may vary. Powdered garlic supplements are not advised as they might not contain Allicin. Extract seems to be the best type of garlic supplement. Doses to be taken are from 600 – 1200mg per day.

Antiseptics – mix 1/3 cup of water with one crushed garlic, use it to clean wounds to prevent infection. (Used the mixture within 3 hours). Garlic solution used on the feet 3 times a day improves athlete foot. Garlic oil extract dissolves corns.

Antioxidant – Garlic contains properties that protect the body against free radicals that cause damage to body cells. Garlic has the ability to fight the bacteria of food poisoning.

For hair and body

Hair treatment- Garlic is used to treat hair loss and hair growth. (1) Add garlic to your hair shampoos and hair creams transforms them into hair treatment herbs. (2) Crush about 8 cloves of garlic, extract the juice (1 teaspoon). Mix 1 teaspoon of honey with it, apply this mixture to your hair and scalp, and leave it in for 20 minutes and rinse. Do this 2 to 3 times a week. (3) Garlic shampoo, hair oil and hair mask are available to buy.

Skin treatment – Garlic is used to treat skin ailments and prevent wrinkles. (1) For Acne and spots: Crush 4 cloves of garlic, mix it with ½ teaspoon of honey and 2 teaspoons of yoghurt. Apply as a mask on your face and wash it away after 20 minutes. Instead of raw garlic it could be 2-3 drops of garlic oil or ½ teaspoon of garlic powder. (2) For anti-ageing: Eat 1 or 2 cloves of garlic daily OR make a paste of ½ a tomato with 3-4 cloves of garlic, apply this on your face and leave for 20 minutes wash it off with warm water and then a splash of cold water.

What is Garlic good for?

As an insecticide that Keeps mosquitoes and other insects away

Bad side effects of Garlic

Garlic is very strong and powerful. It should be used and consumed in small quantities. It can have some negative effects such as:

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This article has 8 Comments

Wow, this was a fantastic article! I learned so much! I have been using a carrot and pumpkin seed hair mask to strengthen my hair and promote hair growth. I’ll definitely add garlic to my hair care routine. Also, very good to know that the Allicin becomes deactivated while cooking. I’m going to add garlic to my sauces at the end from now on. Thank you for the tips!

Oh Juliet, you struck a nerve with this one. I LOVE GARLIC. I had no idea that garlic had so many different uses and benefits. I knew that it was good for you but really didn’t know why. When I had a heart attack my doctor asked me if I ate garlic and I told him yes, I love to season almost any kind of food with garlic. I even like it on my popcorn.

My main concern with consuming more garlic than I already do, which is not enough, is smelling like garlic. It really doesn’t have the most pleasant odor. Do you find that a main concern with most people?

Yes Suzette,
The unpleasant odour is a concern to most people. Garlic is not completely digested in the human system, it goes into the blood and that’s why one would smell of garlic. If it is a life threatening situation I say one should put up with the smell till the situation is corrected.

I have lived most of my life in southern countries where the use of garlic is present in most of the dishes. The Mediterranean Diet is famous for using it, as you rightly state in your article, in almost all recipes as its health benefit has been known throughout the ages. I personally love it, as does my partner, so no problem if we both “stink”
Keep informing the people, manmade food cannot beat what nature has to offer.